United States of America v. $146,500,000 in Funds, Defendant Property

Filing 9

ORDER re: gov't's motion 8 - It is hereby ORDERED that: 1. All rt, title & interest in above-described $146,500,000 in US currency hereby condemned, forfeited & vested in the USA & shall be disposed of according to law.; 2. US entit led to costs herein.; 3. USDC shall retain jurisdiction in case for purpose of enforcing this order. ; 4. Clrk hereby directed to send attested copies of this order to all cnsl of record. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner on 8/21/17. (ki)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plaintiff
v.
$146,500,000 IN FUNDS,
Defendant Property

:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:17-CV-989
(Chief Judge Conner)

ORDER
Upon the proceedings had heretofore and the Motion (Doc. 8) of the United
States of America, the court finds:
A verified Complaint against the defendant property was filed on June 7,
2017, seeking forfeiture of $146,500,000 in U.S. Currency, as agreed to by the
defendant property owner, Western Union, in the Deferred Prosecution Agreement
filed with this court on January 19, 2017, and docketed at 1:17-CR-00011.
Notice of said forfeiture action and arrest was published for a period of thirty
(30) consecutive days on the government’s internet forfeiture website and served
directly on all interested parties. All persons claiming an interest in the abovedescribed property were required to file their claims with the Clerk of Court within
thirty-five (35) days of the execution of the Warrant or within thirty (30) days of final
publication of the Notice of Arrest or actual notice of this action, whichever
occurred first.

Despite proper notice, no petitions or answers were filed within the requisite
period required by Rule G(5) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime
and Asset Forfeiture Claims. Therefore, any third-party interests are barred by
failure of those parties to file a timely petition.
NOW, THEREFORE, upon motion of the United States of America for Final
Order of Forfeiture and Entry of Default Judgment, it is hereby ORDERED that:
1)

All right, title and interest in the above-described $146,500,000 in U.S.
Currency, is hereby condemned, forfeited and vested in the United
States of America, and shall be disposed of according to law;

2)

The United States is entitled to its costs herein;

3)

The United States District Court shall retain jurisdiction in the case for
the purpose of enforcing this Order; and

4)

The Clerk is hereby directed to send attested copies of this Order to all
counsel of record.

Dated this 21st day of August 2017.

/S/ CHRISTOPHER C. CONNER
Christopher C. Conner, Chief Judge
United States District Court
Middle District of Pennsylvania